Donald Ciepielinski

Donald Ciepielinski, age 80 of Osakis, formerly of Minneapolis, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018 at the Alomere Hospital in Alexandria, MN.

On January 20, 1938 a son was born to Anthony and Mary (Koleck) Ciepielinski in Minneapolis, MN.  They named him Donald Eugene and he was one of twelve children born to this union.  He attended Edison High School in Minneapolis and then went to serve his country in the United States Army being stationed in Hawaii.  He returned from the service and soon married his life mate and best friend, Mary Joan Damberger on July 29, 1961 at St. Peter’s Church in Richfield, MN.  Don worked for many years at Durkee-Atwood Manufacturing.  He was then hired to be a Claims Examiner for Northwestern National Life Insurance Company in Minneapolis.  He worked there (and in Tuscon, AZ for a year and a half) until retiring in 2006.  After retiring, the Ciepielinski’s moved to Osakis, MN where Don enjoyed having the time to pursue some of his hobbies.  He was a gifted conversationalist who could make friends anywhere he went.  He liked to visit with and brighten the day for residents at the local nursing home.  He also volunteered at the Alomere Hospital for several years delivering the mail and visiting with the patients.  He loved going for drives in the car, he and Mary would often drive for an hour just to go have lunch.  Don was comfortable in the kitchen, whether baking up some of his special ‘goulash’ or making a batch of homemade soup.  He liked to golf, but especially for the chance it provided to socialize with friends and companions.  He was a voracious reader, especially enjoying westerns, mysteries or military histories.  He was a caring, gentle and loving husband, father, grandpa and brother who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Don will live on in the hearts of his family, especially his wife, Mary Joan Ciepielinski of Osakis; children, Margaret ‘Margie’ (Jarvis) Wright of Bloomington, Michael (Heidi) Ciepielinski of Osakis, Mary Kay (Will Rora) Seraaj of Fridley, Marilyn Ciepielinski of Minneapolis; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; siblings, Vera Reynolds of Minneapolis, Frank Cieplinski of CA and Francis Gause of Columbia Heights, MN; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, eight siblings, granddaughter, Natalie Ciepielinski and great grandson, Jaceon Morton.

A Celebration of Life for Donald is planned for June 29th at Riverside Park Pavilion in St. Cloud MN from 12 - 4 pm.

The celebration will be a picnic in the park, his favorite thing to do on a summer day. There is a covered pavilion reserved so the picnic will be rain or shine. If you would like to attend bring your favorite picnic food and join the celebration. Contact the family for any additional information.

Inurnment will be at the Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN.

Memorials are prefered to the American Cancer Society in his honor. https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/minnesota.html

Arrangements by Roy-Hetland Funeral Home, Osakis, MN. www.royhetland.com